How did you get into your business, and what motivated you to start it? The downturn in the economy has caused a decrease in construction, affecting some of the larger aggregate-hauling companies, which caused them to downsize or in my case, caused them to close down operations. Based on my years of experience and desire to start my own business, I took a risk as many small-business owners have done, especially in today's economy. I've been in business for a year, and it's been successful. I strive to provide a personal service to my customers, which means providing exceptional customer service to all my recurring customers, as well as new ones. My goal is to exceed customers' expectations and provide the best value for the services I offer.

Previous business experience: 21 years of experience in excavating, aggregate sales and hauling